Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I saw you turn back to that book again, and scan my initials in the front.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
aught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I saw you turn back to that book again, and scan my initials in the front.
Bandy-legs
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From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
BIG
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From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
blank
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From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I saw you turn back to that book again, and scan my initials in the front.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
commencing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
Coombs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
due
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From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
Evidently
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From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
explain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of trying to explain, Obed turned to Max, saying meekly:
explanation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I saw you turn back to that book again, and scan my initials in the front.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I saw you turn back to that book again, and scan my initials in the front.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I saw you turn back to that book again, and scan my initials in the front.
initials
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From this reading I saw you turn back to that book again, and scan my initials in the front.
Instead
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From this reading Instead of trying to explain, Obed turned to Max, saying meekly:
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
Max
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of trying to explain, Obed turned to Max, saying meekly:
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
meekly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of trying to explain, Obed turned to Max, saying meekly:
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I saw you turn back to that book again, and scan my initials in the front.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
Obed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of trying to explain, Obed turned to Max, saying meekly:
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
please
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
puzzle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
Robert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I saw you turn back to that book again, and scan my initials in the front.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of trying to explain, Obed turned to Max, saying meekly:
scan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I saw you turn back to that book again, and scan my initials in the front.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
solving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
Steve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
SURPRISE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I saw you turn back to that book again, and scan my initials in the front.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
Toby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of trying to explain, Obed turned to Max, saying meekly:
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I saw you turn back to that book again, and scan my initials in the front.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of trying to explain, Obed turned to Max, saying meekly:
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A BIG SURPRISE Evidently, Steve was commencing to get on the scent of the explanation of the mystery; but as for Toby and Bandy-legs, they found themselves up against a blank wall, for aught they could see.
Wax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why you asked me If Mr. Coombs' first name had been Robert, when it was not.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You tell them, please, Wax; it's only your due, after solving the puzzle as nearly as you have.
